Parachute harness release coupling



Aug. 29, 1939. G. WAlTE El AL PARACHUTE HARNESS RELEASE COUPL ING Original Filed Aug. 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR$ R 1: g era a Wafl'E I ATTORNEYS.

Harald E Eleclr'g Aug. 29, 1939. G. WAITE ET AL PARACHUTE HARNESS RELEASE COUPLING Original Filed Aug.-5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 5 W M? m -RfvM w E nd aE WHE.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Aug. 5,

Aug. 29, 1939.

INVENTORS. Har 1:11 1:1 El-HEE ETS E E E Wafi' E ATTORN EYS.

Patented Aug; 29, 1939 ITEVD STATES PATENT 'oFFIcE PARACHUTE HARNESS RELEASE COUPLING George Waite and Harold G. Rogers, Buflalo, N. Y., assignors to Irving Air Chute Co. Inc., Builalo, N. Y., a. corporation of New York 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in parachute apparatus, and has more particular reference to single point quick release fittings for the parachute harness.

The present application is a division out of our co-pending application Serial No. 94,470, filed August 5, 1936, and which issued as Patent No. 2,164,130 on June 27, 1939.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be. apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified forms of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the harness shown in our above identified parent application showing the improved quick release fitting.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the harness also showing the improved quick release fitting.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another type of harness with a modified form of quick release fitting.

Figure 4 is a plan view of one type of improved quick release fitting.

Figure 5 is a sideelevation of the fitting shown in Figure 4 with the connector parts detached therefrom. Y

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 4.

fitting with a different type ofdetent to prevent accidental opening thereof.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantiallyon theiine l2-|2 of Figure 1.

Figure-13 is a side elevation of the fitting shown in Figure 11. In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A maydesignate a harness adapted for use with an attached pack. B is a. similar harness for use with a detachable type of pack. D and E are forms of quick release fasteners or fittings used with the single point release type of harnesses A and B.

In the main the harnesses A and B are of identical construction except that harness A is used with an attached pack and the harness B is used with a detachable emergency type of pack. The latter type of harness, as has been set forth in U. S. Patent #1,958,000, may be worn by the aviator independent of the pack, and the latter may be used when the emergency arises.

The harnesses A and B each includes a supporting sling 3!] consisting of double webbing stitched together and providing a seat portion 3| and vertical riser webs 32 and 33. In the form of harness A the riser webs 32 and 33 are continned rearwardly of the wearer at 32 and 33, in suspension lines which extend into the pack F, where they are connected to the shroud lines of the parachute in the well known'manner. The container of the pack F is preferably connected to the seat portion 3| of the harness in an im- .proved manner to be subsequently described.

In the form of harness B the suspension lines 32 and 33 are extended forwardly upon the harness in a manner to be subsequently described, and

at their extremities are provided with coupling parts 34 which may beat any approved type, but in the present instance are snap fasteners which are releasably held in position similar to the manner disclosed in U. S. Patent #2,016,236, but in a modified manner which will be hereinafter described. v

At the shoulders of the harness the riser webs 32 and 33 are provided with adapters 31 and 38, by means of which the straps are held in position so that the harness may be adjusted to fit the stature of the wearer. These adapters 31 and 38 are of the double slot type, that is, a central bar is provided and the webbing or straps of the harness may be threaded through either or both of the slots around the cross bar. In the present form of harness the riser webs 32 and 33 are threaded through only the front or upper slot of the adapters so that the adapters may be readily slid therealong.

Each of the harnesses A and B includes a pair I of crossed back straps 48 and ll which are connected in a fixed stitched relation between the layers of the U-shaped supporting sling on the riser webs 32, and 33 respectively just above the seat portion 3|. These straps ll! and 4| extend upwardly across the back of the wearer andare crossed in the middle of the back of the wearer in a slidable loop adjustment, as shown at 42 in threaded through both slots of the adapters 38 and 31 respectively, that is, they extend through both slots of each adapter, around the cross bar thereof, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, and thence they continue downwardly at the front of the wearer in a downwardly slightly convergent relation, as shown at 43 and 44in Figures 2 and 3. These breast straps 43 and 44 are extended slidably through suitable tunnels or loops 45 in the riser webs 32 and 33 of the harnessat a point above the lower end fixed connections of the straps 4'0 and 4|. The end of each strap which thus passes through a loop 45 is extended horizontally across the back of the wearer and provided with an adapter 41 threaded adjustably upon the other horizontal strap. Thus these portions are adjustably doubled upon each other so that the harness may be, adapted to the girth of the wearer.

The straps 43 and 44 thus form by means of their connection withthe adapters 31 and 38 and their lower connection through the tunnels or loops 45 in the riser webs, breast loops upon which are threaded coupling or fastener parts 50 for release connection with the quick release fitting D or E of the harness, as the case may be.

Leg straps 50 and 5| are provided. They are formed by a strip of double webbing which is spirally wound about the strap 3| and extend- .ed between the layers of said seat strap and coupling parts 50 for release connection with the quick release fitting D or E, as the case may be. It was above mentioned that the coupling parts 50 and 50 are releasably connected to the fitting or coupling D or E. In the preferred instance, however, one of these connector parts 50 or 50 is permanently connected to one of the detents or members of the quick release fitting. The

latter is preferably connected to the connector part 5.0 on the left hand side of the harness, although this is. purely optional. The leg straps 50 and 5|, as shown in Figure 3, are first extended at the inside of the riser web and then looped extemally at the outer side of' the riser web and brought up into position for connection with the quick release fastening means. This arrangement enables the'leg straps to be freely loosened from the body of the wearer upon release of the quick connector fastener.

In theform of pack attached harness A, the pack F as before mentioned is attached to the seat strap 3|. Heretofore this attachment was fixed and permanent, but in the present invention I provide tabs 6,! ich are permanently stitched at 6| at one end '0 Leach and at the other end is provided with lift the dot snap fastener 52. This lift the dot snap fastener 62 has the male portion thereof upon the free end of the tab 60 and the female portion thereof upon the upper flap of a loop 64 in which the free end of the tab 60 is slipped. The dot of the "lift the dot snap fastener is remore from the seat strap 3| so that it can'only be released by pulling the lift the dot snap fastener towards the seat strap. In other words a pull upon the seat pack away from which the detents 95 operate.

the seat strap will not open the lift the dot snap fastener.

In the emergency pack hamess- B stiffened web and coupling supports I0 are provided. They are provided with passageways therethrough, the axes of which are,acute to each other. One of these passageways 1| receives the riser web 32 or 33, as the case may be, and the other passageway receives the upper portion of the breast strap 43 or 44, as the case may be. These supports 10 are slidable along the straps which they encompass and the webbing of the.support 10 is suitably stiffened to hold the straps 32 and 44, or

33 and 43 in definite relation. Of course the 4 supports 10 are provided with spring clips or members 15, as has been more adequately described in U. S. Patent #2,016,236 for releasably supporting the snap fasteners or coupling parts 34 in position, sothat the complementary coupling parts upon the emergency pack may be attached thereto. The coupling parts 34 are always held in definitely spaced relation upon the harness and ready for emergency attachment at all times. .On the harness B the loose ends of or it may be of the improved type Dor E shown in the drawings.

Referring to the quick release fitting or coupling constructions D and E, the same are in many respects similar except insofar as the detent releasing members thereof are concerned. The fittings D and E each include a frame or casing portion having a compartment 9| opening at the top thereof and closed by means of a detachable cover plate 92, which is held in place by detachable bolts 93.- The compartment 9| is adapted to reciprocably receive a spider or like member 94 upon the arms of which are mounted detents 95. The casing 90 is provided near the bottom thereof with lateral openings 91 across The detents have sloping faces opening in the compartment 91 and which face the peripheral surfaces of the casing so that the connector parts 50 and 50 may with facility slip into place upon the detents 95; the parts 50 and 50 being provided with openings which receive the detents 95 in a manner which is well known to those skilled in the art. The spider 94 is provided with a series of radial arms and the detents 95 have flanged edges 98 resting on these arms so that as the spider is raised in the compartment 9i the detents 95 will be retracted with respect to the openings 91 in order to release the fastener parts 50 and 50 of the harness. The springs I00 normally engage between the closure 92 and each of the detents 95 in order to force the latter to a restraining relation, as shown in Figures 5 and 9 of the drawings. As before mentioned it is preferred in the present type of harness to have the connector parts D or E, as the case may be, mounted permanently upon one of the coupling parts 50 or 50 of a main connector strap of the harness. To that end, as shown in Figure 10, one of the detents 95 may have a shank I00 in lieu of a spring I00, which abuts the closure 92 and holds the detent 95 normally in a restraining positionas shown in Figure 1. Of course the detent 95 is not carried by an arm of the spider 95, as is clearly indicated in- Figure 7 of the drawmgs.

In certain prior one point release harnesses the connector mechanism has been operated by radial or turning movement of a-member. In the present case, however, it is intended to release the detent members by a swinging movement of a pivoted member, without any turning movement. To that end a plunger member I is centrally or axially mounted upon the casing for transverse movement with respect thereto in a l ne parallel with the movement of the detents 95. It has a shoulder I06 against which the spider 95 centrally abuts so that a lifting movement upon the plunger I05 will lift the spider and remove the detents from their openings 91. The means for moving the plunger I05 consists of a lever I01 pivoted. at I08 upon the plunger and having a cam extension I09, which when the lever I 01 is flat upon the top of the closure 92 of the casing positions the plunger I05 so that the detents 95 are in the position shown in Figure 5, for locking the parts 50 and 50'. However, upon pivotal movement of the lever I01 extension I09 cams upon the casing and moves the plunger I 05, and detents 95, from a position across the respective passageways 91, and thus disconnect the coupling parts 50* and 50 from the casing of the connector D or E, as the case may be. A guard IIII' mounted on the closure 92 prevents anything from interfering with correct action of the cam' extension on the closure.

Inasmuch as the lever I01 might be accidentally moved to release the coupling parts 50 and 50 from the fitting D or E, a detent mechanism is provided therefor. In the form of connector D it is shown that the lever I01 has a large flanged end' which is provided with a T-shaped slot IIO therein. A horizontally slidable plunger detent .III is mounted for rectilinear movement upon the casing, being suitably apertured to receive pins II2 therein for guiding the path of movement of the detent III; the same being provided with an opening to miss the flattened shank of the plunger I05, as shown in the drawings. This detent II I has lateral flanges H4 near the end thereof which lie in the widened portion of the T-shaped slot IIO of the lever I01. A spring H6 normally urges the detent I II into this position, as shown in Figures 4 to 10 inclusive of the drawings, and it is only when the detent III is pushed inwardlyto position the reduced end I at the fore end of the detent III in the narrow portion ofthe T-shaped slot H0, that the lever I01 can be swung to open the detents 95, in a manner which is perfectly apparent from the above description.

Referring to the coupling device E, a guard to prevent accidental opening of the operating lever I01 comprises a fabric housing I20, riveted and stitched at I2I upon the bottom of the casing 90. It is hinged as shown in Figure 13, and covers the sides and top of the housing 90, leaving the slots 91 open to permit free ingress and egress of the connector parts 50* and 50 The housing I20 at its free end is provided with a lift the dot.fastener I25, and it has'a loop I26 through which a person may slip a finger and release the fastener I25. It may then be swung back in order that the lever I01 may bemoved to cam the detents 95 to an open position.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a single point release connector for parachute harnesses the combination of a frame, strap connector detents on the frame normally spring urged to releasably snap into strap retaining position, means to releasably hold said detents inoperative including ,a pivoted lever, a housing adapted to cover the frame for guarding and preventing premature release operation of sail lever, and means for releasable movement of the housing from its guarding relation with respect to said lever.

2. In a single point release connector for parachute harnesses the combination of a frame, strap connector detents on the frame normally spring urged to releasably snap retaining position, means to releasably hold said detents inoperative including a pivoted lever, a housing for releasably guarding and preventing premature release operation of said lever, said housing being a flexible fabric and having a lift the dot snap fastener connection with said casing in order to normally hold said lever in an inoperative position.

3. In a parachute harness quick connector device the combination of a frame, a plurality of spring urged detents mounted on the frame for releasably connecting together the parts of the harness,.a single pivoted lever mounted on the frame for simultaneously operating all of said detents to a release position, detent means normally holding said lever inoperative, said detent means including a T-shaped slot in the end of said lever and a plunger on the frame having a T-shaped retaining head releasably connected in the slot of said lever.

4. In a single point release connector for parachute harnesses and the like the combination of a casing, strap connector detents, movable supporting means mounting said detents on the easing, means normally urging said detents to a strap retaining position, a lever pivoted upon said movable supporting means, and a cam extension on said lever at the opposite side of the pivot axis able supporting means externally of the frame, a

cam extension on said lever operable against said frame so that when the lever is swung to a release position it will move said supporting means and the detents therewith against their normal spring action, and a guard shield on said frame projecting over said cam extension to prevent anything from interfering with action of the cam extension against said frame.

6? In a coupling device for parachute harnesses and the like the combination of a supporting frame, a strap connecting detent, a slidable plunger on the frame movably supporting the detent so that it may move to operative and inoperative positions upon said frame, a lever pivoted on said plunger having arigid cam extension projecting beyond its pivot aids and operable against said frame so that upon swinging the lever in one position it will move the punger for positioning the detent in an inoperative position.

7 In a parachute harness quick connector device, the combination of a frame, a plurality of spring urged detents mounted on the frame for. releasably connecting together the parts of a.-

harness, a single pivoted lever mounted on the frame having connection with the detents ;for

simultaneously operating all of said detents to a release position, said lever having a T-shaped slot in the end thereof including a head portion and a stem, the stem portion of the slot opening at the edge of the lever, and a sliadable plunger 

